Christmas Eve in the West of Ireland

There was a full moon on the Winter Solstice, an unusual event and not occurring in my lifetime again, so, very special to me.

As my ancestors before me, I celebrate the Solstice, marking the longest night of the year and with the promise of all that lies ahead…

The ritual of fire and feast, music and drink, gathering of family and friends are all important aspects of the Winter Solstice.

The youngest member of my little tribe was here, forming a focal point for us all as we gathered to celebrate.

She is displaying a love for the natural world in her wish to be carried around outside and shown the many aspects of the woodland sanctuary, engaging with me as I show her the trees and birds.

Then, in the blink of an eye, the gathering disappears off to their own homes and further adventures of Yule and I am, once more, alone with Jack, birdsong and the increasing energy of the Otherworld all in and around the cottage.

I venture out to collect a few necessities from town and on my way home am enchanted to pull over the car and embrace the quickening evening.

Dragon’s Breath as is known, moves silently over the fields.

The evening before Christmas Eve is preparing for a quiet slumber in the way in which only happens at this time of year.

Mist is rolling in across the lough.

In the rush that is corporate Christmas, most people have not the time to stop and take in this ethereal beauty…I find myself alone in the blue twilight of an Irish evening in late December.

The days that follow a gathering are eerily silent.

The sheer contrast of it all!

I am reminded of my solitude.

This is a physical solitude, I remind myself, for I am immersed in many lives at Bealtaine Cottage.

Like the time of year, a reminder that days of quickening light lie ahead, when the light and sounds of Spring will make the quiet evenings something to look forward to.

And so I make my way home, immersed in the silence of the land itself, at one with this ancient land, my home.

Hi Colette, I have just found you, from sunny Australia and am in awe of your beautiful home and land. I resonate with you on so many levels, your food rants about corporate brainwashing sounded like my own. Blessed Day and I look forward to learning lots from your peaceful sanctuary.

I love the silence that falls across the land at this time of the year … a going-within time, in preparation for the coming season. The dragon’s breath was quite wonderful on the video, but you have truly captured the magic with the photos. Thank you for sharing them. 😀

Merry Christmas, Happy Yule Tide Blessings and a Belated Happy Winter Solstice Dear Colette. I’ll be ordering calendars for friends in mid January if you still have any remaining for sale. Happy New Year for 2019. Love and blessings always.

It was lovely to see you with your grandaughter. Such serene photos that you captured in time. I just finished watching Its a wonderful life! The house is filled with candlelight and its a very quiet Christmas Eve. I do wish you a blessed and heartfelt Yule and hope that you have a wonderful day when you wake up. May the sun kiss your face while the birds serenade your soul. I am sure you don’t desire the cold and snow that we are getting in Canada. Thank you once again for sharing your kind and thoughtful words and your sanctuary home. Love Isabella

Stunningly beautiful photographs, and such meaningful words. And…you are “immersed in many lives” around the world, as well, thank goodness! You have enriched so many lives, dear Colette!
Sending warm wishes to you from the West Coast of Canada….where the worst wind storm in our history has recently passed, leaving us in peace, just in time for Christmas!

Lovely, Colette, and I know what you mean about the solitude after everyone has gone. Takes a bit of getting used to again! But what better way than communing with Nature. We’re having an extra wet and windy Christmas here in New Zealand so it was goodbye to the hollyhocks and sweet peas ….. have a wonderful Christmas, thinking of you and Jack xx

Beautiful pictures Colette, Marry Christmas to you and Jack ❤
P.S. I send you email today, if it will be still awailble, I choose big keyring 🙂 . Today I also send you a post, I hope that it will be everything ok 🙂 Blessings ❤

Beautiful Colette, celebrating a joyous time with your family and friends during the Winter Solstice. Wishing you a peaceful, happy Christmas day and look forward to sharing the new year with you and Jack online at Bealtaine Cottage. X

Merry Christmas Colette, thank your for a lovely year of gorgeous photos and interesting and fun videos. This is truly a special and magical time… I remember a favorite line: “My Grandpa used to say, “On Christmas eve when t​he veils between this world and the next thin out, and that’s when the spirits cross over and walk among us.” Colette, may your beloved ones join you on your holiday walks.

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Colette’s Details

Address:

Colette O’Neill

Bealtaine Cottage

Ballyfermoyle

Keadue

Boyle

County Roscommon

F52YP74

Ireland

Email: coletteoneill2010@hotmail.com

(Colette cannot answer personal emails).

IMPORTANT NOTICE ref: POSTING!

Posting to Australia and NewZealand has been suspended due to air travel restrictions. This is only temporary!

I am happy to take your order and post it when the situation eases off.

Also, due to a notice from several Customs agencies, I cannot include Rowan Wood with calendars. I hope to sort something out later in the year to enable me to sent out Rowan wood.

Blessings

Colette

Book

“A Cottage and Three Acres,” by Colette O’Neill

Please email Colette if you would like a particular inscription in your book.
From a desolate cottage set in 3 acres of monoculture sadness, to a vibrant, thriving food forest of life…the journey back to Eden over 13 years…
Bealtaine Books and Maps are printed in Ireland and posted from Ireland to support the people of Ireland.

€27.00

Bealtaine Cottage Calendar 2020

Bealtaine Cottage Calendar 2020 NOW REDUCED!

This calendar celebrates the magic of Bealtaine and the evolution to a Sanctuary for Life. The Hare was viewed by the ancient Celts as being the link between this world and the Otherworld-a supernatural world which is directly linked to nature. The Hare is known for being able to run between our world and the 'Otherworld'. Shapeshifters are widely known in Ireland to take on the form of the Hare. This is told in the famous story of the Celtic warrior Oisín. The Hare guards both the entrance to and exit from, the Fairy Wood at Bealtaine.
The Calendar, which features over 50 photographs and all the Celtic festivals, includes Postage and packing WORLDWIDE and can be posted on your behalf as a gift, from Bealtaine Cottage, Ireland. (Pre-orders now accepted)
WAS: 16.50€ INCL P&P
NOW: 13.50€ INCL P&P

€13.50

Bumper Sticker

Bumper Sticker: Plant: Your Life depends…

A message for our times...plant trees...just plant! A powerful message that will be seen by thousands of people! Postage and Packing Worldwide included.

€8.00

Bumper Sticker, Goddess

Bumper Sticker, Goddess

The iconic symbol of Bealtaine Cottage Goddess Permaculture...planting for ALL life and nurturing Mother Earth!
Postage and Packing Worldwide included.

€6.00

Special Offer REDUCED Calendar AND BOTH Bumper Stickers together!

Buy all three together and save 6.50€
Originally 30.50€
NOW 24.00€

€24.00

Bealtaine Cottage Guide to the Deep Midwinter

A little Yuletide book filled with colour photographs, recipes, reflections, lore, poetry and mirth to guide you through the wonderful days ahead.
Fifty pages of sheer delight from Bealtaine Cottage to you.
The book is fully bound and can be posted direct as a gift.
Price includes P&P worldwide.
Bealtaine Books and Maps are printed in Ireland and posted from Ireland to support the people of Ireland.

€15.00

In Search of The Goddess Rising

This is the second book in the Goddess Permaculture series
from Colette O’Neill at Bealtaine Cottage, Ireland.
In this book I explore the ancient landscape, mythology,
literature and life around Bealtaine Cottage…
in search of the Great Goddess.
The price of the book includes all postage and packing
to wherever you live in the world!
Bealtaine Books and Maps are printed in Ireland and posted from Ireland to support the people of Ireland.

€21.00

Magical Mythical Map of Bealtaine Cottage and Gardens

Beautiful map created by the artist David Gascoigne, especially for Bealtaine Cottage. The picture shows one side of the map…it is printed on both sides, see the photos on this page.
The price includes all Postage and Packing to wherever you live in the world!
Bealtaine Books and Maps are printed in Ireland and posted from Ireland to support the people of Ireland.

€12.00

Special Offer: Goddess Book and Midwinter Book

In Search of the Goddess Rising and The Bealtaine Cottage Guide to the Deep Midwinter…both books normally cost €36.00 but can be purchased together for for €32.00 which includes P&P Worldwide. Bealtaine Books and Maps are printed in Ireland and posted from Ireland to support the people of Ireland.